I’ve been in a car accident and I’m in pain! What should I do?

First of all, DON’T WORRY! You can be helped! Auto injuries are perhaps the most damaging type of trauma to the human spine. It’s estimated that for every 10 mph of collision the car absorbs it’s equivalent to your body being hit  by a 40lb weight.  As the car gets hit it moves rapidly away in the direction it’s been hit. At the same time the upper body and neck of the occupants get whipped backwards or sideways very quickly. This is where the term “whiplash” comes from. During a whiplash injury the spinal ligaments, muscles and nerves are strained or torn. The immediate aftermath is inflammation and pain. The long term effects are disc herniations and degeneration if not properly dealt with as soon as possible following the incident. The most reported symptoms of spinal trauma is headaches, neck and low back pain following the accident.  Most people who visit the E.R. after minor accidents receive muscle relaxers and pain killers and possibly a prescription for physical therapy.

If you have been injured in a car accident you should be aware of some important points for your health and future. A spine that has suffered whiplash is fully injured from the neck all the way through the tailbone to some degree or another. So full spine rehabilitation is always necessary. It is critical to get the spine in motion as soon as possible following an injury. This not only restores normal spinal alignment but also prevents ligaments and muscles that have been torn and stretched from forming scar tissue. If scar tissue is allowed to form the spine will heal permenantly in a misaligned position causing progressive arthritis and disc degeneration. It is helpful to receive an MRI study of your spine as well so there is no guess work for your  healthcare providers.

Should I receive chiropractic care?

 The answer is absolutely. And here’s why. Chiropractic adjustments work on your spine in what’s known as the “passive range”. Adjustments move your vertebrae just a bit further than you could move your spine by your own muscle ability. This is what is needed to break the “pain circuit” and reset the joints back to normal for the long run. Physical therapy deals largely with muscle rehabilitation. If the spinal muscles are strengthened prior to resetting the motion of each spinal alignment it will have little benefit and may be catastrophic in the long run. PT used in conjunction with chiropractic care is however a very effective combination. Medication simply masks the problem and causes one to feel good when they are by no means well at all. Medication consumption should be stopped as soon as it is possible to avoid dangerous side effects and causing more injury. 

Please feel free to contact us or submit your questions. We are here to optimize your health!!